Hi,
Fed up with feeling that i'm getting nowhere fast, i've started to look at the possibility of going over to Vancouver/ Island to study, in order to increase my points.
I'm wondering if it is possible to apply from within Canada for PR towards the end of a study visa or whether i would have to move back to England to put my application in?
Also, would anyone know if there is a limit on how many years you can have a study visa for?
Many thanks

Sorry, but I can't help you. And I think most people here at the "Lifestyle & Culture" forum can't help you.
Have you tried the Canada immigration forum:

http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=33

Hi Katy - I'm doing the same thing only to Calgary. We put our application in back in April but as it is taking longer and longer to process the applications (up to two years ) we have decided to go for a study visa and move over next summer. At least we know what we will be working towards and if our PR comes in the meantime well hey - nothing lost. And if we get rejected well maybe I'll become an eternal student .... not sure of the time limit but I know someone who got a study visa for 3 years - that's the longest I have heard of. Initially they will only issue you one for the length of the course that you have been accepted on but I think that if you progress onto further studies you can extend - but don't quote me!

You can apply out of England but if you have enough points (or close) now then it might be worth getting the paperwork in before you go. At least the process will have begun and you can always update your info as you go.

Best of luck! Jen

Best ask in the immigration group for up-to-date information. I went from a student visa (then called a student authorization) to PR and at that time you were allowed to do it within Canada if you were still in status, although the application itself was not processed in Canada: mine was processed in Buffalo.

There is no limit on how many years you can have a study permit for. If you have a 10 year university course, then it will be issued for 10 years. I was on a student authorization for four years to complete a university degree, although they actually issued it for five years.

Good luck.

You can do it from Canada.

I was given student authorisation for 2 years (even though my program was 4 years long), because my passport was valid for the next 2 years from the date I had applied. I renewed my authorisation when it was about to expire, and they gave me another 2 years. You can renew it again if you get a paper from the university/school that you're still not done with the program, or are registered in courses.

Thanks for your reply Jen
I need to study for 2 years at least to improve my points but the scary thing for me is that i'd have to sell my house and use the profit to live on whilst studying...... that's why i was kind of hoping to be able apply for PR towards the end of the study period and not have to move back to the UK, because we all know the situation with house prices these days
I'm not sure whether it'd be worth me putting in an application in now, as i'm only just scraping 64 points and the OU short course i've just started won't give me any more points.
Anyway, thankyou, you've been really helpful
All the best with your application and studies!
Katy

Hi Toontje
Thanks for the link. I always try my luck in here first because the people are friendlier

Well then. I can only say: Thank You!

Yes, i will check for updated info but thanks for your reply, it's good to hear from someone who has actually been there and done it!

Also meant to ask, by "still in status" i presume you mean still having an in date study visa?

Thanks for the info and the reply Dan

We too are choosing to go down this route. Our PR has been in process for 15 months and is more than likely on the tail end, however my husband wants to to a uni course regardless and so we are just about to apply for a 3 year study permit for him. This gives me an open work permit and we can start to get the business up and running legally. We are hoping to be out permanently in Canada by January, all going well.

You will have to apply for PR from your own country though as you can no longer apply from within Canada.

Yes.

You could move from one status to another, like from a student visa to a work permit, and still be "in status."

If you are legally admitted to Canada for 12 months or more, you can also apply to Buffalo:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/offices/apply-where.html

Where someone does have a choice, the office they *should* apply to is a more open question. For example, those who require US tourist visas should think hard before applying to Buffalo as they may have problems getting to the US for an interview if they don't already have a US visa.

Jeremy

Goog luck with that Study Permit.

Thanks, how's it going with you? Have you settled in now? Sorry can't remember if it was you who went down this route too? How did that all pan out? Or have you got your PR now?
Regards, Tia